Bosnia and Herzegovina: Heading for Europe?

20/06/2008

Many BiH bloggers write that with the recent signing of the SAA, BiH has much to look forward to. Others are more cautious, warning that positive changes will take time.

By Zeljana Grubisic for Southeast European Times -- 20/06/08

"It is up to us to make it work, this agreement, like anything else related to BiH foreign policy," BiH Presidency member Zeljko Komsic wrote on his blog. [Getty Images]

Early this week at a ceremony in Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) signed the long-awaited Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. Effective July 1st, the accord will enforce new customs tariffs and quotas, though actual EU membership may be distant for BiH. Bloggers reflected on the new reality in their country.

BiH Presidency member Zeljko Komsic, in his blog, elaborates on the implications of the new accord for BiH. Komsic emphasises the SAA is primarily an economic agreement that will also necessitate political reforms.

"The agreement has 1,000 pages. About 10% of it is textual and normative regulations. The rest is mostly a precise listing of products imported from the EU, the duties of which will fall by 50% once the SAA becomes effective or will completely disappear as of 2009 or 2010."

Komsic points out that on the positive side "BiH will be able to export goods to the EU, though they must meet the standards ... of products on the EU market... It is up to us to make it work, this agreement, like anything else related to BiH foreign policy."

In contrast, Haler warns that "All BiH political parties and institutions must ... make an effort in order to fulfil all EU requirements." He suggests, "The inflammatory rhetoric among political parties that leads to hatred and partition of BiH must cease ... We need a new constitution."

"I as a consumer should be happy. But why? I work in one of those companies facing a stiff battle with [foreign] competition," wistfully concludes edona.

Yet muskoz reflects hope, stating, "Let us all be ready to act and be patient, and good results will follow."